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Major Crimes Unit detectives seized a baseball-sized ball of heroin last week during a traffic stop. The 5-oz. ball of heroin is estimated to have a street value of $21,000. Matthew Berry/Eagle-Gazette

Jason R. Roach, 37, of Lancaster, who allegedly had five ounces of heroin in his possession at the time of the arrest. He is facing first-degree felony trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin charges. photo provided by Fairfield County Sheriff's Office

Jessica R. Cantrell, 25, of Lancaster, who is RoachÕs wife, was with him at the time of the bust, along with her three children. Cantrell is facing first-degree felony trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin charges. photo provided by Fairfield County Sheriff's Office

Lloyd E. Romine, 40, of Lancaster, was arrested on felony aggravated drug possession, tampering with evidence and permitting drug abuse charges. It was RomineÕs house that was raided where drugs, electronics and jewelry were confiscated on July 7. photo provided by Fairfield County Sheriff's Office

LANCASTER – The Major Crimes Unit collected a baseball-sized amount of heroin worth $21,000 during a traffic stop last week from a man they allege is likely the largest heroin dealer in Lancaster.

MCU and Street Crime Reduction and Apprehension Program team members worked a 13-hour day, arresting nine people allegedly connected to the city's heroin problem during two separate incidents on July 7.

MCU Detective Sims said he believes 37-year-old Jason Roach is a "key player" in Lancaster's heroin game. Roach was arrested during a traffic stop on North Memorial Drive on July 7 after detectives found five ounces of heroin in a diaper bag. Sims works undercover and asked that his full name not be revealed.

Roach's wife, 25-year-old Jessica R. Cantrell, and her three children were in the car. Cantrell was also arrested and faces possession and trafficking charges. Sims said Roach was just returning from Columbus after allegedly buying the large amount of heroin. MCU's K-9, Brasco, was called in to search/sniff the vehicle for probable cause. Without Brasco, interim MCU Commander Gary Kennedy said investigators would not have been able to execute the search.

When investigators interviewed Roach, they said Roach admitted that nearly all heroin in Lancaster is either traced to him, or at the very least, he knows where it came from.

The MCU had been investigating Roach for the past eight months.

"Someone that size, they're very careful about what they're doing," Sims explained.

"He was selling about 10 ounces a week," he estimated, which has a total street value of $42,000 per week. This means approximately one kilogram of heroin was moved per month, worth $168,000.

To give an example of the substantial amount of heroin confiscated, investigators said the average dose of heroin is a quarter of the size of a pencil eraser.

According to Cantrell and Roach's marriage license from March, Roach is listed as "disabled" and Cantrell is "unemployed."

Another nine grams of heroin, which is worth $1,350, was found at Roach's West Sixth Avenue home. Roach's home was searched following the traffic stop, where scales and $3,200 in cash were also found and confiscated.

Child Protective Services was called in to assist with their three children.

Roach and Cantrell are being held on $100,000 cash/surety bonds in Fairfield County Jail.

Pierce Avenue

The Major Crimes Unit receiving numerous reports of alleged drug deals and syringes in the yard of 504 N. Pierce Ave., which is directly across the street from Anchor Hocking.

The home, which has a sign saying there are surveillance cameras watching the entrance, was busted by local law enforcement on July 7, hours before Roach and Cantrell's arrests.

A total of six out of the seven people inside the home were arrested, including Lloyd Romine, who lives there. Romine is accused of trafficking heroin at his residence.

The others in the home at the time of the bust were connected to Romine in some way, including two people who were there, Sims alleged, to purchase drugs.

There was a small amount of heroin seized, along with two grams of bath salts called "Moon Rocks," which investigators have heard from various sources has been in the area lately.

Romine described "Moon Rocks" to investigators as "methamphetamine on steroids."

As officers raided the home, Sims said the occupants inside were trying to dispose of diamond rings by putting them in the toilet. A number of electronics were also found and seized from the home.

MCU and Street Crime Reduction and Apprehension Program officers are still determining if any of the items were reported stolen.

With two significant arrests in one day, Sims said their long-term investigations and surveillance paid off.

"It was a good week," he said.

sroush@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRoushLEG

Major Crimes Unit Arrests

The following nine people were arrested on July 7 during two separate incidents and drug searches. Some of those arrested may face additional charges.

• Jason R. Roach, 37, of Lancaster, who allegedly had five ounces of heroin in his possession at the time of the arrest. He is facing first-degree felony trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin charges.

• Jessica R. Cantrell, 25, of Lancaster, who is Roach's wife, was with him at the time of the bust, along with her three children. Cantrell is facing first-degree felony trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin charges.

• Lloyd E. Romine, 40, of Lancaster, was arrested on felony aggravated drug possession, tampering with evidence and permitting drug abuse charges. It was Romine's house that was raided where drugs, electronics and jewelry were confiscated on July 7.

• April Dysart, 30, of Lancaster, was arrested on permitting drug abuse, a fifth-degree felony.

• Ashley Dysart, 26, of Lancaster, was arrested on possession of heroin, a fifth-degree felony.